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RECP Experiences at Stefani & Co The efficient and environmentally sound use of materials, energy and water ‐ coupled with the minimization of waste and emissions ‐ makes good business sense. Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production (RECP) is a way to achieve this in a holistic and systematic manner. RECP covers the application of preventive management strategies that increase the productive use of natural resources, minimize generation of waste and emissions, and foster safe and responsible production. Benefits are eminent in many enterprises, regardless of sector, location or size, as demonstrated by the experiences of Stefani & Co, of the largest manufacturers and distributors of beer and non-alcoholic drinks in Albania. Achievements at a Glance The Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production (RECP) project in Stefani & Co. RECP implementation in the Stefani & Co led to

annual savings of EUR 20,900 by investing EUR 86,800and payback time of 4 year.

The RECP environmental protection measures undertaken in the brewery were focused on emission control and reduction.

Pollution reduction was achieved by focusing on a better and more efficient use of the inputs (energy, water, and raw materials).

Therefore, process optimization was a main focus of the RECP analysis. An energy conservation strategy was implemented

addressing the brewery’s electrical, thermal and fuel consumption. Part of this strategy included good housekeeping measures and

several investment requiring measures.

Before flow control valves: Uneven filling at PET line

After flow control valves: Equal filling at PET line

Overview Stefani & Co. is one of the largest manufacturers and distributors of beer and non-alcoholic drinks in Albania, producing “Birra

Stela”; one of the most recognized local beer brands in the country. The company has a strong distribution network covering the

entire Albanian territory with all distribution activities carried out in-house. Having a total labor force of 130 employees and a

modern production and packaging plant, the brewery has a capacity of producing over 110,000 hl of beer annually.

Benefits The Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production (RECP) Programme at Stefani & Co started in 2010; however the brewery is led by a

very environmentally oriented top management team that has continuously been looking for ways to reduce their footprint on the

environment. Notwithstanding, RECP presented a more detailed and structured way for the management to reflect their

environmental concerns while reducing their costs.

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Absolute Indicator Change (%) Relative Indicator Change (%)

Year 1 Year 1

Resource Use Resource Productivity

Energy Use 7

Energy Productivity 12

Materials Use 0

Materials Productivity 20

Water Use 19

Water Productivity 1

Pollution Generated

Pollution Intensity

Air emissions (global warming, CO2 eq) -18

Carbon Intensity -31

Waste‐water 8

Waste‐water Intensity -10

Waste 15

Waste Intensity -4

Production Output 20

The RECP environmental protection measures undertaken in the brewery were focused on emission control and reduction. Pollution reduction was achieved by focusing on a better and more efficient use of the inputs (energy, water, and raw materials). Therefore, process optimization was a main focus of the RECP analysis. An energy conservation strategy was implemented addressing the brewery’s electrical, thermal and fuel consumption. Part of this strategy included good housekeeping measures and several investment requiring measures.

RECP Profile

Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production (RECP)

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Success Areas The results were achieved through the implementation of the main following measures:

- Replacement of old equipment, lighting - Installed computerized controllers - Better packaging and labeling methods

Principal Options Implemented Benefits

Economic Resource Use Pollution generated

Investment

[EUR]

Cost Saving

[EUR/yr]

Reductions in energy use,

water use and/or materials

use (per annum)

Reductions in waste

water, air emissions

and/or waste generation

(per annum)

OPTION 1.Replacement of old equipment, use of economy lights, timers and thermostats, installment of computerized controllers

86,800 20,900 Reduction in energy use: 261,700 kWh

Reduction in air emissions: 160 tons of CO2

OPTION 2.Avoiding leaks and steam traps, increased insulation on heating and cooling pipes

OPTION 3.Preventative maintenance for steam pipes; Vapor recovery

OPTION 1.CO2 (heat) capture from fermentation tanks for water warming

OPTION 4.Installment low-flow nozzles, flow control valves, equipment sprays

NA NA Reduction in water use: 6,300 m

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Reduction in waste water discharge: 2000 m

3 OPTION 5.Use low-volume/high-pressure

washers and compressed air

OPTION 6.Reducing Kieselguhr use and selecting better quality malt

NA NA

Increased use of recyclable packaging material. Better packaging procedures leading to reduced use of glue

Reduction in solid waste: 140 tons

OPTION 7.Optimizing brew house procedures Using centrifuge to remove yeast

OPTION 8.Substituting glass bottles with recyclable PET ones

OPTION 9.Using waterproof labels to reduce the use of glue

Approach Taken Water conservation has been in the forefront of items of concern especially because the brewery used up to 10 liters of water in

order to produce just 1 liter of beer. Thanks to the Programme the brewery is starting to experience reductions in this respect

and with continual improvements they are aiming to achieve the best international practices of using no more than 5 liters of

water/liter beer as outlined by the RECP analysis. Moreover, there are plans to continue implementing energy conservation

measures in the future based on a variety of already identified RECP opportunities.

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Business Case Stefani & Co. has over the years invested significantly into brewery improvements and now has a modern plant with technological advancement at the level of that noted in Western breweries. „Stefani and Co“ was the first brewery in the country to implement the quality systems ISO 9001-2000, HACCP and the first company in the country that implemented ISO 14001 : 2000. It is now involved in a new project for implementing Cleaner Production and Resource Consumption in Albania.Stefani and Co initiated the RECP Programme with the objective of not only providing in-house benefits but also to further develop a specific pollution prevention strategy for Albanian breweries. Therefore the management is fully dedicated to continue the Programme and achieve further successes through producing a cleaner product.

Testimony Box National Cleaner Production Programme in Albania

Officially launched in 2010, the National Cleaner Production Programme in Albania, is established under the guidance of NCPP Steering Committee with membership of national government counterparts, UNRC, UNIDO, and UNEP. The NCCP is hosted by ECAT Tirana (Environmental Centre for Administration and Technology) established in 1995 by EU/DG Environment, German and Albanian Government to serve as an advisory body for the Ministry of Environment. ECAT has a sound experience of country-specific and capacity building projects related to energy, technical assistance, pollution, waste and healthcare waste, institutional assessment and policies. The NCCP in Albania has a double fold purpose: to upscale RECP through plant demonstrations and industry outreach activities, and to mainstream RECP policy instruments into country’s relevant legislation. A total of 36 companies of food, beverage, quarry and tourism benefited from practical solutions identified for cost effective reduction of energy, water consumption, waste, effluents and emissions. A pool of 35 trainee experts coming mainly from academia and industry, have been trained and about 20 trainings have been

held. In addition, UNIDO and UNEP supported the NCPP to develop into a national RECP focal point, through contribution to

national workshops and conferences, industry and policy consultations (about 17 in total), as well as in development of policy

instrument package to promote RECP in Albania as RECP Mainstreaming Strategy; Primer for Albanian SMEs; Sector Specific

Guidelines and Success Stories

Contact Details National Cleaner Production Programme at ECAT Tirana Rr. A. Frasheri, Pall.16/ Shk.6/ Ap.53 Tirana, Albania Phone / Fax: +355 4 2223930 e-mail: mima@ecat-tirana.org www.recp.al About RECP Experiences Through the joint Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production (RECP) Programme, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) cooperate to improve the resource productivity and environmental performance of businesses and other organizations in developing and transition countries. The Programme is implemented in partnership with the Global Network for Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production (RECPnet). This series of enterprise success stories documents the resource productivity, environmental and other benefits achieved by enterprises in developing and transition countries through the implementation of RECP methods and practices. These successes were achieved with the assistance of the National Cleaner Production Centres, which are part of RECPnet established with support of the UNIDO and UNEP. The success stories employ the indicator set described in Enterprise Level Indicators for Resource Productivity and Pollution Intensity, UNIDO/UNEP, 2010. The primer with accompanying calculator tool and further case studies are available at www.recpnet.org, as well as on www.unido.org/cp and www.unep.fr/scp/cp

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